Question for any techs, stutter during start up for a corolla

[JoyRin]

Hey guys, so i've been trying to diagnose a slight problem with my friend's car and was wondering if i could get some help. So its a 2008 toyota corolla. The car stutters a bit when starting up. It'll be like....crank, crank, crank, sputter, then fires right up. Once started, it runs/idles fine and doesnt sputter. Only during the start up process. It gets worse the longer it sits, but it also gets better the less it sits (ie running a few errands, it gets better each time its started as long as it doesnt sit too long). Now, so far we've not experienced any no starts. Just a slight stutter. I changed the spark plugs which were very corroded but problem still persists.

Thinking it might be the fuel draining out of the rail, i primed the fuel pump but problem still persists.

I assume if i prime the pump and problem still persists, then the pressure regulator should be fine since that acts as a check valve and we dont think the fuel is draining out. I may be wrong tho....

The only thing i can think of is to change the fuel filter and clean out the fuel system including injectors.

With the exception of running a fuel pressure test, any ideas? Thanks in advance!

[EJT86]

Rod Bearings

[JoyRin]

Originally Posted by EJT86

Rod Bearings

Yikes....can u explain?

[EJT86]

Originally Posted by JoyRin

Yikes....can u explain?

I was joking since all us M3 guys are paranoid and pretty much every other post is asking whether a symptom is related to rod bearings

[MightyMouseTech]

Could be low fuel pressure. How many times did you cycle the pump before starting it?

Could also be a leaky injector. Let it sit overnight and then pull the plugs.

[JoyRin]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Could be low fuel pressure. How many times did you cycle the pump before starting it?

Could also be a leaky injector. Let it sit overnight and then pull the plugs.

I cycled the pump 3 times waiting 5 sec each time. Ill def let it sit overnight and check the plugs. I do want to mention that the corrosion on the replaced plugs was of the white deposit kind, basically looking like the corrosion you find on battery terminals. I do know thats a sign of running rich, which can be caused by leaking injectors i assume?

And...lol @ ejt86...scared me

Edit: pardon my ignorance, but since this isnt a direct injected car, would i still be able to smell fuel on the plugs after i let it sit over night?

[eluded]

Sounds like a problem with the VANOS system, typical on the 2008 Corolla's